Friends

Over these past few months I have learned to really value friendship. I have received love, care and support from so many people. From those who were already my friends, and from those who I now class as my friends.

I have felt genuine love and understanding, people willing to hold out their hand, offer comfort, give their time, offer their shoulder – and expect nothing in return. People who have sent a message of support, just to let me know me and my family are cared for and thought about often.

I don’t think I really ever appreciated before the necessity of these people in my life – took them for granted I suppose, didn’t give it much thought or concern. All these people form either part of my inner or wider circle, some whom have a daily impact on my life, some who just add that bit of something here and there. But without them, without their words, messages, letters, cards, thoughts and prayers I’m not quite sure where I would be right now.

I have had people share some of their most personal and heartbreaking experiences of their own grief, the journey that they took, and how they have survived it. It has helped so much to know that whilst no-one can really experience exactly what you are going through, its so unique to each individual, but that they understand, they will listen, they can reassure. I don’t feel a burden to them when I express how I feel, when the outpouring of tears and sadness won’t stop – they have listened, they have hugged, they have understood.

What a privilege it is to have those warm, loving, caring people around me, to lift me up, often to drag me a long (whether I want to or not!). So many people in this world are alone, have no-one, have to bear their burdens without anyone there to help.

It feels pretty amazing to know that I am not alone, and I never will be.